Mining machine



J. F. JOY

MINING MACHINE Aug. 17, 1937.

5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 12, 1934 1 22 49721140.- fiJOJfi/Q/ZE Joy.

6/ 'Mmm' J. Fv JOY MINING MACHINE Aug. 17, 1937.

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5 Sheets-Sheet 2 fiZUbTljOfl". 221 (lily Jose Filed NOV. 12, 1934 Aug. 17, 1937. J. F. JOY 2,089,964

MINING MACHINE Filed Nov. 12, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 wifij J. F. JOY

MINING MACHINE Aug; 17, 193 7.

Filed Nov. 12, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 75211109. 4w '4'Mm Ja e Z Patented. Aug. 17, 1937 UETEE STAES PATENT QFFEQE MINING MACHINE Massachusetts Application November 12, 1934, Serial No. 752,671

34 Claims.

This invention relates to mining machines, and more particularly to improvements in coal mining machines adapted to cut relatively narrow slots in a coal seam.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved coal mining machine. Another object is to provide an improved coal mining machine which is capable of being maneuvered with facility, and having improved coal cutting devices adjustable to cut either vertical or horizontal slots in a rapid and efficient manner. A further object is to provide an improved coal mining machine arranged to slide over the mine floor and having improved flexible feeding means.

Another object is to provide in a coal mining machine of the above character, improved means for swinging the cutter blade and for adjusting the cutter blade about a longitudinal axis to move the blade into either horizontal or vertical cutting positions. Yet another object is to provide an improved coal mining machine, the major movements of which are hydraulically effected and having embodied therein an improved hydraulic system for operating and controlling said hydraulic devices. Yet another object is to provide an improved walking jack arrangement whereby the machine may be readily advanced with a wallnng action, the weight of the machine being substantially balanced by a careful arrangement of the parts, thereby facilitating the function of walking. Yet another object is to provide improved positioning and locking means for the cutter blade. Another object is to provide improved drive and control means for, and an improved arrangement of the flexible feeding element engaging feeding members of, the flexible feeding means for the machine. These and other objects and advantages of the invention will, however, hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawings there is shown for purposes of illustration one form which the invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings,

Fig. l is a plan view of the illustrative embodiment of the improved coal mining machine, the top horizontal cutting position of the cutter blade being indicated in dotted lines.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the machine shown in Fig. l, the horizontal top cutting position of the cutter blade being indicated in dotted lines.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view taken substantially on line 3 3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4.: is a fragmentary plan view of the cutter head and its associated mechanism.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken sub stantially on line 5-5.0f 3.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged cross sectional View taken on line 66 of Fig. 2, the elevated position of the machine being indicated in dotted lines.

Fig. 7 is a central longitudinal section through one of the longitudinal feed cylinder devices.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on line 88 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 9 is a detail sectional view taken substantially on line S9 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 10 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on line ill-IE3 of Fig. 3.

Fig. ll is a plan View of the sub-frame or skid plate and the main base in position thereon.

Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic elevational view showing, with parts shown in longitudinal section, the action of the walking jack in advancing the sub-frame or skid plate relative to the main base.

Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic View showing the hydraulic system.

Fig. 14 is a diagrammatic view showing the machine cutting a horizontal slot in the coal face in accordance with the room and pillar system.

Fig. 15 is a diagrammatic view showing the machine operating as a floor type, shear cutter.

In this illustrative embodiment of the invention there is shown a coal mining machine of the flexibly fed, floor type generally comprising a sub-frame or skid plate l having a smooth bottom surface 2 adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine floor. Mounted on the skid plate I for longitudinal rectilinear movement with respect thereto is a main frame or base 3, mounted on the forward end of which, for rotation about an axis extending longitudinally of the main base, is a cutter head 4 carrying a pivoted kerf cutter herein in the form of'a cutter blade or bar 5 having an endless cutter chain 6 mounted on its margin for circulation thereabout. Flexible feeding means is employed for feeding the machine bodily over the mine floor both during maneuvering of the machine and the cutting operations and herein comprises relatively rotatable feeding members, herein in the form of haulage drums l and 8, arranged on horizontal alined axes extending transversely of the machine, and each adapted to cooperate with a flexible feedingelement herein in the form of wire ropes or cables 9 and it), respectively.- A motor ll mounted on the main base 3 constitutes the sole prime mover for the various mechanisms of the machine, and improved devices are employed, driven by this motor, for driving the feeding drums and for operating the cutter blade swinging means, for driving the cutter blade, for moving the main base rcctilinearly with respect to the skid plate machine, as will hereinafter be described.

The sub-frame or skid plate 5 runs substantially the entire length of the machine, and as above pointed out, this skid plate has rectilinearly guided thereon the main base 3 on which is mounted all the principal mechanisms of the machine, including the flexible feeding and cutting mechanisms. Arranged longitudinally along each side of the main base 3 and secured thereto, as by bolts, are supporting girders l3, I3 (see Fig. 6), and these in turn are supported by lower guide rails I4, I4 secured as by welding to the girders I3. Beneath the rails I4 andslidable relatively thereto is the sub-frame or skid plate I, and extending the length of this skid plate, adjacent, to the base rails I4, are guiding girders I5, I5, while cooperating therewith are retain ing bars IS, the elements I5 and I6 being secured to the skid plate as by riveting, and these elements cooperating to form longitudinal guideways I1, I! in which the guide rails I4 are slidably guided. By this arrangement, the main base 3 is slidable on the skid plate I, this being accomplished by a pair of hydraulic power devices I9, I9, one arranged at each side of the main base (see Fig. 6) between the sides of the latter and the upstanding side flanges 29 of the skid plate I and in adjacency tothe supporting girders I3. These devices each'include a hydraulic cylinder 2| having its rear head secured to the adjacent side of the main base and containing a reciprocable piston 22 having a forwardly extending piston rod 23 fixed at its forward end at 24 to the forward end of the. skid plate I, as clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 1.1. It will thus be seen that when hydraulic pressure is supplied to the cylinders 2| the main base 3 and the skid plate I will be reciprocated relative to one another, as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 12.

Now referring to the improved walking jack arrangement for the machine, it will be noted that arranged midway between the sides of the main base substantially at the center of gravity of the machine is a walking jack cylinder 25 containing a reciprocable jack piston 26 having a piston rod or plunger 2'! in the form of a jack element extending through the packed lower head 28 of the cylinder 25. As clearly shown in Fig. 11, the skid plate I is provided with a centrally located longitudinal slot 29 and has its forward portion cut away at 30, and the jack piston 21 is adapted to project down through this slot 29' into engagement with the mine floor. When hydraulic pressure is admitted to the upper end of the cylinder 25, the piston will'be forced downward, causing the end of the piston rod 21 to engage the mine floor, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 6, and upon the continued supply of pressure to the cylinder the jack piston will raise the entire machine oh" the mine floor except for a slight contact at one end. If new hydraulic pressure is admitted. to the rearward ends of the longitudinal feed cylinders 2|, the sub-frame or skid plate I will be projected forwardly beneath the main base 3 (Figs. 11 and 12). If the hydraulic pressure is then released from the walking jack cylinder, the piston rod thereof will be forced upward and the skid plate I with the machine on it will again rest 'on the .mine

. floor in relatively extended position. If hydraulic pressure is now admittedto the forward ends of the longitudinal feed cylinders 2!, the main base 3 will be advanced alongthe skid plate I until the two are again in fully superimposed position. The operation can be. repeated by again forcing hydraulic pressure into-the walkingjjack cylinder whereby the machineis again drive shaft'55.

substantially raised off the mine floor, the skid plate again extended, the machine then brought to rest on the mine floor as before, and the main base again brought forward into coincidence with the skid plate. In this way the machine may be advanced rapidly with its own self-contained mechanism by a walking action or caterpillarlike motion. p

Now referring to the improved coal cutting devices, it will be noted that the cutter head 4 has a cylindrical bearing portion 32 journaled in a bearing sleeve 33 supported within a cylindrical neck frame 34, herein formed integral with the forward portion of the main base frame 3, and formed integral with the head frame is a radial flange 35 having bolted thereto a worm wheel 36. This worm wheel is provided with an annular groove 3'! receiving a radial flange 38 formed on the cylindrical bearing portion 34 and the worm wheel having an inwardly directed flange 39 overlying the rear face of the flange 38 for retaining the cutter head on the bearing portion 34. secured to the bearing portion 34 for the cutter head is a worm 4| meshing with the worm wheel 36, and this worm, is fixed to a transverse shaft '22 adapted to be rotated in any suitable manner, as by a suitable turning instrument ccnnectible to the squared end 43 of the shaft (see Fig. 2).. It will thus be seen that the cut ter head may be manually rotated through the worm gearing 35, 4| into either a vertical or horizontal cutting position about a horizontal axis extending longitudinally of the machine. The worm gearing is of the self-locking type and locks automatically the cutter head in adjusted position about the head axis. The driving connections between the cutter chain 6 and the motor II comprise a, horizontal, longitudinally, extending shaft 45 connected by a coupling 46 to the power shaft 41 of the motor II. As shown in Fig. 3, the shaft 45 is suitably journaled withinthe main base and has splined thereto at its forward end at 48 a clutch member 49 connectible to a clutch member 59 keyed to the rear end of a shaft 5!. axis coincident with the cutter head axis and alined with the shaft 45, and is suitably journaled within bearings supported within the cutter head frame. Fixed. to the forward end of the shaft 5I is a bevel gear 52 meshing with a large bevel gear 53 connected by a multiple disc clutch 53, of a well known design, to a shaft 55.

As illustrated, theshaft 55 is suitably journaled in the cutter head frameand is arranged with its axis at right angles and perpendicular to the axial line of the cutter head 4. outer end of this shaft is a chain sprocket 55 which engages and drives the cutter chain 6 for effecting orbital movement of the latter about the margin of the cutter blade 5. The clutch 49 is operated by a shifter member 51 having lever operating meansprovided with a pivoted operating handle 58 (see Fig. 1). The clutch 49, constitutes the main cutter drive clutch, and when connectedthe cutter chain may be driven by the motor II through the coupling 46,

Journaled in a bracket 49 suitably This shaft is arranged with its Secured to the shaft 45, b-evel gearing 52, 53 and the sprocket v V The cutter blade 5 is of an elongated, relatively thin design, and is mounted for longitudinal adjustment toward and from the cutter chain drive sprocket 56 in a guideway 69 formed in a cutter hanger 6|. The cutter blade is swingably mounted about an axis coincident 'Wlth the cutter drive sprocket axis, and the F wardly projecting piston rod 82.

hanger 6! is provided with a bearing hub 62 journaled on bearing sleeves 63 supported by a hub 64 formed integral with the cutter head frame, the hanger being retained in position on the bearing hub by a retaining plate 65 secured to the hubfthis plate also forming a bearing retainer for the cutter chain drive sprocket hub bearing. The hanger GI is provided with a pro- 'ection SE in which is rotatably mounted a rotating member 61 having a screw 68 threaded within the rear portion of the cutter blade. It will be evident that when the screw is rotated, the cutter blade may move inwardly or be moved outwardly within its guideway 69 on the hanger frame St to vary the tightness of the cutter chain.

A look nut 69 is provided for locking the adjusting means in its adjusted position.

The means for locking the cutter blade in its different positions about its pivotal axis with respect to the cutter head frame comprises a lock member or latch lil pivoted at II on the hanger frame 65 and having an operating handle 12, and this locking member is receivable in radially located locking recesses 73 formed in a flange I4 integral with the cutter head frame. A spring pressed plunger 75 mounted on the locking member l2 and engageable with the hanger frame urges the member If! into its locking position. As shown in Fig. 4 there is guided in a bore I6 formed in the hanger frame 6| a plunger 11 normally urged inwardly by a coil spring l8 and having an operating handle I9. When the locking latch If; is swung outwardly into its released position, the locking plunger 11 is adapted to move in back of the member ID, thereby to hold it out in its released position. Thus by moving the latch it the cutter blade support GI may be swung angularly and the latch dropped into the latch slot it next to the desired position.

The improved mechanism for swinging the cutter blade about its pivotal axis with respect to the cutter head comprises a hydraulic cylinder 80 secured to the side of the main base 3 and containing 21 reciprocable piston 8i having a for- The forward end of this piston rod is connected by a pin and slot connection 83 to a lever 84 keyed to one end of a shaft 85 herein extending transversely across the top of the main base and suitably journaled thereon. Also keyed to the shaft 85 adjacent the opposite ends thereof near the opposite sides of the machine are cranks 86 and 8! having pivotally connected thereto links 88, 89, respectively (see Figs. 4 and The cutter blade hanger frame has formed integral therewith perforated ears or lugs $3 and 9H, and when the cutter head is in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the link 89 is connected to the lug 9t and when hydraulic pressure is supplied to the cylinder 80 the piston 83 moved axially within its cylinder, thereby swinging the lever 82, rotating shaft 85, swinging the lever 87'! and through the link 89 and lug 9i! swinging the cutter blade about its pivot.

When the cutter blade is rotated to the opposite 7 side of the axis of the cutter head the link 88 is tudinal cutter chain drive shaft 45 is a spur pinion 95 (see Fig. 3) meshing with a spur gear 96 keyed to a shaft 9? herein arranged parallel with and below the shaft 45 and likewise suitably journaled in the frame of the main base. Keyed to the shaft 9'! is a high speed gear 98 and a low speed pinion 99, the high speed gear meshing with spur gears IBEI, H]! (see Fig. 5) connectible by multiple disc clutches I92 and IE3 of a usual design to longitudinally extending shafts I84 and IE5 herein arranged parallel with the shaft 9'! at opposite sides thereof and equidistantly spaced therefrom. The slow speed pinion 99 meshes with gears I06 and IN connectible by multiple disc clutches I88 and I09 to the shafts I04 and I95, respectively. Operating means is provided for the sets of disc clutches I62, Hi8 and I63, I09, so that when one of each of these pairs is applied the other of said pair is always released, and this operating means, as shown in Fig. 9, comprises a shipper member I If! having a shifter member III connected by a crank pin and crank II2 toa vertical operating shaft H3 (see Fig. 9). The shaft H3 has an operating handle II4 arranged at the top of the main base. The other set of clutches has similar operating means including a similar operating handle I I5. It will thus be seen that when one or the other of the sets of clutches is applied, the shafts Illt, I85, may be driven in the same direction at either a high or a low speed. Keyed to the rear ends of the parallel shafts I94, I05, respectively, are bevel gears I I5 and l I'i (see Fig. 5) meshing with bevel gears H8 and I I9, respectively, the latter gears being fixed to horizontal relatively oppositely rotatable shafts I29 and I2I arranged on horizontal alined axes extending transversely of the main base and suitably journaled within the latter. Fixed to and driven by these shafts I2l], I2! are spur gears I22 and F23, respectively, meshing with spur gears I24 and I25, respectively, secured to the drums 1 and 8. As clearly shown in Fig. 8, the spur gear I24 is secured by screws I26 to the adjacent flange of the drum 8. The mounting and controlling structures for each drum are of the same design, and therefore the description ofthe mounting and control means for the drum 8 Will suffice for both drums. The hub of the drum 8 is journaled on a bearing sleeve I27 supported on a stub shaft I28 mounted in a support I29 integral with the main base, and this drum is mounted to slide in an endwise direction with respect to the shaft I28. The means for so sliding the drum with respect to the shaft comprises a link I30 pivotally connected at Hi to a pin secured to the inner portion of the bearing sleeve I21, and this link is in turn pivotally connected at I32 to a lever I33 pivotally mounted at I34 on the top of the main base and having a suitable operating member I35. It will thus be seen that by swinging this lever the drum 8 may move outwardly with respect to the shaft I28, thereby to bring the teeth of the gear I24 out of meshing engagement with the teeth of the gear I22. The operating means for shifting the gear I25 of the drum I out of mesh with the teeth of the gear E23 includes a similar operating lever 43$. The means for guiding the feed cables 9 and It with respect to their drums comprises horizontal sheaves I46, MI and I42 (see Figs. 1 and 2) journaled on vertical axes on the rear end of the main base, while mounted on flanges I43 integral with the sides of the skid plate I are horizontal guide sheaves I44 and I45. Arranged on horizontal axes at the rear of the drums are vertical guide sheaves I46 and Ml. The feeding cables may be extended from their drums about various guide sheaves in various manners. The drums may be rotated in winding direction in relatively opposite directions at either a high or a low speed under the control of the disc'clutches of the high and low speed box'structures are similar to those described in and; 555, the valve my copending application Ser. No. 684,707 filed August 14:, 1933, and therefore a description herein of the specific structure thereof is considered unnecessary. The pump I50 is provided C with a master control valve I53, while the valve box I 52 contains three control valves .I54, I55 I54 controlling the cutter blade swing cylinder 80, the valve I55 controlling the walking jack cylinder and the valve I55 controlling the longitudinal feed cylinders 2 I, 25. A supply conduit I5'l leads. from the tank 55! at the pressure side of the pump to the valve box .552, while a return conduit I58 leads from the valve box I52 back to the tank I5I at the intake side of the pump. Leading from the valve box I152 to the opposite ends of the cutter blade swing cylinder 80 are conduits I59 and I60, while leading from the valve box tothe walking jack cylinder 25 is a conduit I6I. Leading from the valve box I52 to the forward ends of the feed cylinders 2i is a conduit I52, while leading from the valve box to the rear ends of the feed cylinders 2I is a conduit I53. When the master valve I53 is open to supply pressure to the supply conduit I51 and the control valve I54 is suitably operated, hydraulic pressure may be supplied to .one end or the other of the cutter blade swing cylinder 80, and when pressure is supplied through conduit 59 to the rear end of the cutter blade swing cylinder 80, the conduit I60 is connected through the valve box to the pressure return conduit I58, and when the conduit I60 is connected to the pressure side of the pump, the conduit I59 is connected through the valve box :15 to the return conduit I58. Pressure may be supplied through the conduit IBI to the walking jack cylinder 25 under the control of the valve I55, while pressure may be supplied to the feed cylinders 2!, under the control of the valve I55. When pressure is supplied to the forward ends of the feed cylinders 2|, the conduit I62 is connected to the pressure side of the pump, while the rear ends of the feed cylinders are connected through the valve box i52 to the return conduit 555. When the rearward ends of the feed'cylinders 2% are connected to the pressure side of the pump through the conduit I63, the forward ends of the feed cylinders are connected to the return conduit I50 through the conduit I62. It will thus be seen that hydraulic pressure may be supplied to the cutter blade swinging device, the feeding devices and the walking jack device under the control of independent valve means and that the parts may be hydraulically operatedand 75 hydraulically locked in position.

A general summary of the operation of the coal mining machine will now be made. The

' machine is preferably transported over considerable distances within the mine by being carried on an ordinary mine truck which moves on the usual track rails laid in the various passages of the mine. Such a truck forms no part of the present invention. The machine may be drawn up on the truck by hooking the ends of the cables 9 and I0 to the truck, starting the motor .II and causing either of the winding drums 'l. or 8 to be put into operation by moving the control levers I36 or I35, respectively. Similarly, the machine may be moved off the truck by hooking the ends of the cables 9 and IE! to an anchor jack, operating the winding drums and pulling the machine toward the anchor jacks. In each case the cables are guided by the sheaves I 55, Ml, also by such of the sheaves I40, MI, I42, I44 and I45 as may be most convenient in the particular instance.

In bringing the machine up to the face'of the coal in the mine chamber, it is most convenient to use the walking jack device 25, 26, 21 in connection with the longitudinal feeding devices 2I, 2I as previously described. The walking jack is operated to raise the machine bodily substantially off the mine floor and the longitudinal feed cylinders 2| are then used for forward feed, extending the sub-frame or skid plate I attached thereto, whereupon the piston of the walking cylinder is allowed to move upward, thus bringing the skid plate to rest on the mine floor. The longitudinal feed cylinders are then again operated and themain base 3 fed forward along the skid plate. This alternate use of the walking and feeding cylinders to advance the machine may be repeated as often as desired, causing the machine to travel with a walking action rapidly over the mine floor.

When the machine is advanced as far as the mine wall, the same walking motion may be used during the sumping out which effects insertion of the cutter bladedeep within the coal face. The skid plate I is first advanced as far as possible by the use of the walking cylinder and the longitudinal feeding cylinders; whereupon the latter are set in motion to advance the main base 3 and the cutting mechanism carried by it forwardly along the skid plate I, feeding the cutter blade into the wall of the coal, the endless cutter chain having been previously set in motion by connecting the clutch of the cutter chain driving gearing. When the main base 3 has been brought completely over the skid plate I the latter is again advanced by operating the walking jack, and the longitudinal feeding process again repeated. The speed of feeding in any direction is regulated by the control valve I 53, thereby increasing or decreasing the amount of fluid entering the pump and hence varying the rate at which the liquid will be transmitted to the various hydraulic cylinders.

With the sumping cut completed, assuming that be withdrawn fromthe slot by causing the fwalking jack and the longitudinal feed cylinders to operate in the manner previously described.

To cut a horizontal slot, such as is indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1 and shown diagrammatically in Fig. 14, the cutter blade is brought into its horizontal cutting position by rotating the cutter head about its longitudinal axis with respect to the main base. The horizontal sumping cut of the cutter blade is accomplished like the vertical cut previously described by operating the Walking cylinder and the longitudinal feed cylinders. To move the machine laterally to form a horizontal slot transversely across the coal face the winding drums l and 8 are used, the cables 9 and iii therefrom being attached to am chor jacks located adjacent the ribs in the manner shown in Fig. 14. By moving the control levers H4, H5 either of the winding drums may be set in motion at any of the speeds provided by the transmission gearing or friction clutches. The winding drum 1 winds in the cable 9, while the drum 8 may turn to pay out the other cable Ill. The skid plate I may be adjusted forwardly or rearwardly of its midposition by whatever amount is necessary to maintain the proper angle of the mining machine relative to the coal face, and this is accomplished by using the walking cylinder and the longitudinal feed cylinders or the longitudinal feed cylinders alone, and thereby avoids the need of using a retarding cable at the rear end of the machine, the cables extending from the drums around the front guide sheaves I44, I45 laterally directly to their anchor jacks in the manner shown. To cut a bottom slot, the cutter head is rotated to bring the cutter blade into the horizontal bottom cutting position, and the machine is operated across the face in the opposite direction by the drum 8. During the shearing operation shown in Fig. 15 the cutter blade is swung upwardly with its tip end adjacent the roof by the hydraulic cylinder Bi), and when the blade is in this position it may be sumped in by moving the main base forwardly with respect to the skid by the hydraulic feed cylinders 2|. Thereafter the cutter blade may be swung downwardly in its plane by the swinging cylinder 80 and thereafter withdrawn from the coal face by the feed and walking jack cyinders 2i and 25. Obviously sumping and withdrawal can be effected by the cables as well as in the manner above described.

As a result of this invention it will be noted that an improved coal mining machine of the flexibly fed, floor type is provided having relatively great universality, it being possible to operate the ma" chine as a horizontal bottom cutter, top cutter, and shear cutter, to suit varying mining conditions. It will further be noted that the machine is of an extremely flexible character, it being possible rapidly and with facility to maneuver the 69 machine and feed the machine during the cutting of the improved coal mining machine will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

While there is in this application specifically described one form which the invention may as- 7 sume in practice, it will be understood that this form of the same is shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit'or the scope of the 75 appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a coal mining machine, a skid adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine floor and having longitudinal guideways, a frame guided on said skid guideways, a cutter head mounted on said frame to rotate relative thereto about a longitudinal axis, a cutter blade pivotally mounted on said cutter head, motor operated mechanism for swinging said cutter blade about its pivot with respect to the head, means for moving said frame along said skid guideways, and flexible feeding means for the machine for feeding the machine bodily over the mine floor and including a flexible feeding element adapted to be anchored at a point extraneously of the machine.

2. In a coal mining machine, a skid adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine floor, flexible feeding means for the skid, said skid having longitudinal guideways, a main base slidably guided on the skid guideways, means for moving said main base with respect to said skid, a cutter head mounted on said main base to rotate relative thereto about a longitudinal axis, a cutter blade pivotally mounted on said cutter head, means for swinging said cutter blade with respect to said head, and motor operated devices for actuating said base moving means and said blade swinging means.

3. In a coalmining machine, a skid adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine floor and having longitudinal guideways, a frame mounted on said skid guideways for reciprocation longitudinally with respect to said skid, power devices for moving said frame with respect to said skid, a cutter head mounted on said frame and rotatable relative thereto about a longitudinal axis, a cutter blade pivotally mounted on said cutter head, power devices for swinging said cutter blade with respect to said head, and power devices for feeding said machine bodily over the mine floor.

4. In a coal mining machine, a skid adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine floor, a main base mounted on said skid for movement longitudinally with respect there-to, a cutter head mounted on said base for rotation relative thereto about a longitudinal axis, a cutter blade pivotally mounted on said cutter head, power devices for moving said base longitudinally relative to said skid, and power devices for swinging said cutter blade with respect to said cutter head.

5. In a coal mining machine, a skid adapted to rest'upon and slide in any direction over the mine floor, a main base mounted on said skid for movement longitudinally with respect thereto, a cutter head mounted on said base for rotation relative thereto about a longitudinal axis, a cutter blade pivotally mounted on said cutter head, power devices for swinging said cutter blade about its pivot with respect to said cutter head, means for moving said base longitudinally relative to said skid, and flexible feeding means for moving the machine bodily over the mine floor comprising relatively rotatable feeding members arranged on the base and each adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means.

6. In a coal mining machine, a cutter head, a cutter blade pivotally mounted on said head to swing with respect thereto, means for locking said cutter blade in its different positions about 6 i l its; pivot with respect to the cutter: head and including a pivoted latch and spring means for urging said latch toward its locking position, means formaintaining said locking means in released position, and power devices for swinging said cutter blade with respect to said cutter head.

7. In a coal mining machine, a cutter head, a cutter blade pivotally mounted on said cutter head to swing with respect thereto, means for locking said cutter blade in its different positions about its pivot with respect to said cutter head including a pivoted latch mounted on an element swir -gable with the cutter blade and engageable with locking recesses on said cutterhead, and separate means for maintaining said latch in its released position and releasable at will during swinging of said cutter blade.

8. In a coal mining machine, a cutter head,

- a cutter blade pivotally. mounted on said cutter V pivot with respect to the cutter head when said head to swing with respect thereto, means for locking said cutter blade in its different positions about its pivot with respect to. said cutter head including a pivoted latch mounted on an element swingable with the cutter blade and engageable with locking recesses on said cutter head, power devices for swinging said cutter blade about its locking means is released, and means distinct from said blade swinging devices for maintaining said latch in its released position and releasable at will during swinging of said cutter blade.

9. In a coal mining machine, a skid adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine floor, a frame mounted 'on said skid for movement longitudinally with respect thereto, a

cutter head mounted on said frame and rotatable with respect thereto about a longitudinal axis, a cutter blade pivotally mounted on said cutter head, means for swinging said cutter blade about its pivot relative to said'cutter head, means for moving said frame longitudinally relative-to said skid, and flexible feeding means for feeding the machine bodily over the mine floor including relatively rotatable feeding members arranged on the machine and each adapted to cooperate directly with a flexiblefeeding element. 10. In a coal mining. machine, a frame, a cutter head mounted on said frame ,for rotation with rs pfi tthe f ae cu er l ep vota y mo n ed on Said Wider headb nd. Q er vdevi e inc u ing lajqowerv actuated; blade swinging element mounted on said frame and connectible to said cutterblade in different predetermined positions of the cutter head about its axis for effectingciutting swinging movement or the cutter blade, with respect to said cutter head, said power actuated element detachable from said cutter blade and remaining stationary, as regards rotation with said head, during head rotation. I h

11. In a coal mining machine, a frame, a cutter head mounted on said frame for rotation with respect thereto, a cutter blade pivotally mounted on said cutter head for swinging cutting movement relative thereto, and power devices connectible to said cutter blade only in certain different predetermined positions of the cutter head about its axis for efiecting swinging of the cut ter blade with respect to said cutter head to efiect cutting and including a power cylinder mounted on said frame and operatively connected to said cutter blade. I v d 4 12. In acoal mining machine, a'frame, a cutte-r"headfmounted on said frame for rotation with respect thereto, a cutter blade pivotally estate;

mounted on said cutter head for swingingcutting movement relative thereto, and power devices c'onnectible to said cutter'blade only in certain different predetermined positions of the cutter head about its axiscfor effecting cutting swinging movement of the cutter blade with respect" to said cutter head and including a power cylin der mounted on said frame and relative to which said head is rotatable and which is operatively connected by detachable connections to said butter blade, said connections between said power cylinder and said cutter blade being detached from the latter during rotation of said cutter head. 1 V

13. In a coal mining machine, a support, a cutter head mounted on said support and rotatable with respect thereto about a longitudinal axis, a cutter blade pivotally mounted on said cutter head, said cutter head rotatable to move said cutter blade into vertical cutting positions at either side of the head axis, and power devices including a power actuated blade swinging element mounted on said support connectible to the cutter blade in either of aforesaid vertical cutting positions for swinging said cutter blade in its cutting planes with respect to said cutter head in either vertical cutting position, said power actuated element detachable from said cutter blade and remaining stationary, as regards rotationwith said head, during head rotation.

14. In a coal mining machine, a support; a cutter head mounted on said support and rotatable with respect thereto, a cutter blade pivotally mounted on said saw head for swinging cutting movement relative thereto, said saw head being rotatable to move said cutter blade into vertical cutting positions at either side of the head axis, and power devices connectible to the cutter blade in either of the aforesaid vertical cutting positions for swinging said cutter blade with respect to said cutter head in either vertical cutting position to effect cutting, and including a power cylinder mounted on said support and operative connections between said power cylinder and the cutter blade respectively alternatively usable in said different vertical cutting positions of said blade.

15. In a coal mining machine, a support, a cutter head mounted on said support and rotatable with respect thereto, a cutter blade pivotally mounted ,on said saw head for swinging cutting movement relative thereto, said head being rotatable to move said cutter blade into vertical cutting positions at either side of the head axis, 7

and power devices for swinging said cutter blade with, respect to said head in either of the aforesaid vertical cutting positions to effect cutting comprising a shaft journaled'on said support on a horizontal axis extending transversely of said support, power connections on either end'of said shaft and power devices'for rotating said shaft, said cutter blade being connectible with one of said power connections when in one of the'aforcsaid vertical cutting positions and connectible with the other power connection when in said other vertical cutting position.

16. In a coal mining machine, a'skid adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine floor, coal cutting devices carried by said skid, power devices for moving said coal cutting devices longitudinally with respect to said skid, power devices for substantially relieving the weight of said cutting devices from said skid comprising a power jack arranged midway between i mine floor, said first mentioned power devices being operative, when the weight of the cutting devices is substantially relieved from the skid, to move said skid longitudinally with respect to said coal cutting devices.

17. In a coal mining machine, a skid adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine floor, coal cutting devices carried by said skid, power devices for moving said coal cutting devices longitudinally with respect to said skid, power devices for substantially relieving the weight of said cutting devices from said skid comprising a power jack arranged midway between the sides of said skid and engageable with the mine floor, said first mentioned power devices being operative, when the weight of the cutting devices is substantially relieved from the skid, to move said skid longitudinally with respect to said coal cutting devices, said skid having a centrally located longitudinally extending slot through which said jack projects into engagement with the mine floor, said slot permitting longitudinal movement of said skid with respect to said jack.

18. In a coal mining machine, a support, a cutter head rotatably mounted on said support, a cutter blade pivotally mounted on said cutter head, said cutter head being rotatable to move said cutter blade into different vertical cutting positions, and power devices on said support and connectible to said cutter blade for swinging said cutter blade with respect to said head into either of the aforesaid vertical cutting positions, said cutter blade having a plurality of points widely spaced, alternatively usable of connection with said power devices for the application of swinging forces thereto.

19. In a coal mining machine, a support, a cutter head rotatably mounted on said support, a cutter blade pivotally mounted on said cutter head, said cutter head being rotatable to move said cutter blade into vertical cutting positions, and power devices on said support and connectible to said cutter blade for swin ing said cutter blade with respect to said head into either of the aforesaid vertical cutting positions, said cutter blade having a plurality of widely spaced points of connection with said power devices, and said power devices being connectible to one of said points of connection with said cutter blade when the latter is in one vertical cutting position and with the other of said points of connection when said blade is in said other vertical cutting position.

20. In a coal mining machine, a support, a cutter head rotatabiy mounted on said support, a cutter blade pivotally mounted on said cutter head, said cutter head being rotatable to move said cutter blade into vertical cutting positions, and power devices on said support and connectible to said cutter blade for swinging said cutter blade with respect to said head into either of the aforesaid vertical cutting positions, said cutter blade having a plurality of widely spaced points of connection with said power devices, and said power devices being connectible to one of said points of connection with said cutter blade when the latter is in one vertical cutting position and with the other of said points of connection when said blade is in said other vertical cutting position, said power devices including a hydraulic cylinder on said support and a piston reciprocable in said cylinder.

21. In a mining machine, a base having longitudinal guideways, propelling means for said base,

a frame slidably guided on said base guideways, means for moving said frame longitudinally with respect to said base guideways, a cutter head mounted on said frame to rotate relative thereto about a longitudinal axis, a kerf cutter pivotally mounted on said cutter head, means for swinging said kerf cutter with respect to said head, and motor operated means for actuating said frame moving means and said kerf cutter swinging means.

22. In a mining machine, a base having longitudinal guideways, a frame mounted on said base guideways for reciprocation longitudinally with respect to said base, power devices for reciprocating said frame with respect to said base, a cutter head mounted on said frame and rotatable relative thereto about a longitudinal axis, a kerf cutter pivotally mounted on said cutter head, power devices for swinging said kerf cutter with respect to said head, and power devices for bodily feeding the machine.

23. In a mining machine, a frame, a cutter head mounted on said frame for rotation with respect thereto, a kerf cutter pivotally mounted on said cutter head to swing in its cutting planes relative thereto, and power devices connectible to said kerf cutter in different predetermined positions of the cutter head about its axis for effecting swinging of the kerf cutter with respect to said cutter head and including a motor mounted on said support and cooperating relatively movable swinging elements relatively actuated by said motor and operatively connected to said kerf cutter, said cutter swinging elements disconnected wholly from said cutter and remaining stationary with said frame during head rotation.

24. In a mining machine, a frame, a cutter head mounted on said frame for rotation with respect thereto, a kerf cutter pivotally mounted on said cutter head for cutting swinging movement relative thereto, and power devices connectible to said kerf cutter in different predetermined positions of the cutter head about its axis for effecting swinging of the kerf cutter with respect to said cutter head and including a motor mounted on said support and operatively connected to said kerf cutter, said connections between said motor and said kerf cutter being detached from the latter during rotation of said cutter head and connected to said kerf cutter in aforesaid predetermined positions of said cutter head.

25. In a mining machine, a support, a cutter head mounted on said support and rotatable with respect thereto, a kerf cutter pivotally mounted on said cutter head for cutting swinging movement relative thereto, said cutter head being rotatable to move said kerf cutter into vertical shearing positions at either side of the head axis, and power devices connectible to said kerf cutter in either of aforesaid vertical shearing positions for swinging said kerf cutter with respect to said cutter head in either vertical shearing position and including a motor mounted on said support, and operative connections between said motor and said kerf cutter, said connections including relatively movable cutter swinging elements relatively actuated by said motor and wholly disconnected from said cutter and remaining stationary with said frame during head rotation.

26. In a mining machine, a support, a cutter head mounted on said support and rotatable with respect thereto, a kerf cutter pivotally mounted on said cutter head for cutting swinging move nections, one power connection located at each side of the support, and power devices for driving said transmission connections, said kerf cutter being connectible with one of said power connections when in one of the aforesaid vertical shearing positions and connectible with the other power connection when in said other vertical shearing position.

27. In a mining machine, a skid adapted to rest upon a slide in any direction over the mine floor and having longitudinal guideways, a frame mounted on said skid for movement longitudinally along said guideways, a vertical shear cutter adjustable into parallel vertical cutting positions with respect to said frame and pivotally mounted on said frame to swing in vertical planes with respect thereto in any vertical cutting position about a horizontal axis located at the forward end of said frame, motor operated means for moving said frame longitudinally of said skid, motor operated means for swinging said frame mountedon said skid for movement longitudinally along said guideways, a vertical shear cutter adjustable into parallel vertical cutting positions with respect to said frame and pivotally mounted on said frame to swing invertical planes with respect thereto in any vertical cutting position about a horizontal axis located at the forward end of said frame, motor operated means for moving said frame longitudinally of said skid, motor operated means for swinging said vertical shear cutter about its pivot in any vertical cutting position, motor operated means for actuating said shear cutter, and means for moving the skid bodily laterally over the mine floor to locate the machine in different vertical shearing positions with respect to the coal face.

29. In a mining machine, a skid adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine floor and having longitudinal guideways, a frame mounted on said skid for movement longitudinally along said guideways, a cutter head mounted on the forward end of said frame to rotate relative thereto about an axis extending longitudinally of the machine, a vertical shear cutter pivotally mounted on said cutter head to swing relative thereto about a horizontal axis and rotatable with said cutter head into different vertical shearing positions at opposite sides of the head axis, motor operated means for moving said 7 frame along said skid guideways, motor operated means for swinging said kerf cutter about its pivot relative to the cutter head in either of aforesaid vertical cutting positions, and motor operated means for actuating said kerf cutter in either adjusted position thereof.

30. In a mining machine, a skid adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the 'mine floor and having longitudinal ,guideways, a frame mounted on said skid for movement longitudinally along saidguideways, a cutter head mounted on the forward end of said frame to rotate relative thereto about an axis extending longitudifeeding the skid bodily laterally over the mine floor to move bodily the machine into different vertical cutting positions'relative to the coal face.

31. In a mining machine, a base having longitudinal guideways, a frame mounted on said base guideways to slide longitudinally therealong, a cutter head mounted on said frame for rotation about a horizontal axis extending longitudinally of said frame, a kerf cutter pivotally mounts ed on said rotatable cutter head to swing relative thereto, hydraulically operated means for moving said base longitudinally along said base guideways, hydraulically operated means for swinging said kerf cutter relative to said cutter head, a motor driven pump on said sliding frame, and means under manual control for supplying liquid under pressure from .said pump to said hydraulically operated means. i

32. In a mining machine, a base having longitudinal guideways, a frame mounted on said base guideways to slide longitudinally therealong, a cutter head mounted on said frame for rotation about a horizontal axis extending longitudinally of said frame, a kerf cutter pivotally mounted on said rotatable cutter head to swing relative thereto, a pair. of hydraulic cylinders containing reciprocable pistons for moving said frame longitudinally' along the base guideways, a hydraulic cylinder containing a reciprocable piston for swinging said kerf cutter relative to said cutter head, a motor driven pump on said sliding frame, and means under manual control for supplying liquid under pressure from said pump to said hydraulic cylinders.

'33. Ina coal mining machine, a support, a kerf cutter pivotally mounted on said support to swing with respect thereto, means for locking said kerf cutter in its different positions about its pivot with respect to said support including a latch pivoted to swing about an axis at right angles "170 the pivotal axis of the kerf cutter and mounted on -an-element swingable with the kerf cutter, said latch engageable with locking recesses on said support, and separate means engageable with said latch for maintaining the latter in its released position.

34. In a coal mining machine, a support, a kerf cutter pivotallymounted on said support to swing with respect thereto, means for locking said kerf cutter in its different positions about its pivot with respect ,to said support including a latch pivoted to swing about an axis at right angles to the pivotal axis of the kerf cutter and mounted on an element swingable with "the kerf cutter, said latch engageable with looking recesses on said support, means engageable with said latch for K JOSEPH F. JOY.

CERTIFICATE O CORRECTION, Patent No, 50 9,9611 AugustlT, 1957a JOSEPH F; JOY.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the" printed specification 1 of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows Page 1, second column, line 1h, strike out the word "showing" and insert the same before "the first occurrence, in line 15; page 6, second column, lines 51 55 and 51, claims 1).; and l5 respectively, for "s awf read cutter; pagefi, first column, lines5h, and 55, claim 18, strike out widely spaced, alternatively usable" and insert the same before "points" in line 5h, same claimg" line 6h, I

claim 2.0, strike out "widely"; page 8, first column, line 18, claim 27, for thelarticle "a" read and; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein'that the same may conform to the record of the case in the, Patent Officen Signed and sealed this 7th day of December, A. 1957;

Henry Van Arsdale, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patentsa 

